KSC-2009-4529

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-128 crew members leave the Operations and Checkout Building to head for NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A and a simulated launch countdown. From front to back are Pilot Kevin Ford and Commander Rick Sturckow, Mission Specialists Jose Hernandez and Patrick Forrester, Nicole Stott, Christer Fuglesang and Danny Olivas at the rear. The countdown is the culmination of terminal countdown demonstration test activities to prepare the STS-128 crew for launch on space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett